Skating device



. v 1,628,004 May 10 1927' J. STETSON SKATING DEVICE Filed June 29, 1926 2 Sheefs-Sheet 1 Inventor 115% n Hetson Attorney Patented May 10, 1927.

strata JOHN STETSON, OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA SKATING DEVICE.

Application filed. June 29,

This invention relates generally to the art of roller skates, and has for its primary object to produce a device of this character, wherein when a pair of the same are applied 8 to the feet in a manner similar to the convcnt-ional roller skates, the supporting rollers or wheels thereof will be forcibly propelled by the weight of the person thereon, for thus facilitating the propulsion of the per son without requiring the pushing action necessary in the use of said conventional roller skates.

The invention further aims to provide a skating device of the before mentioned charactor that is relatively simple of construction, efficient in operation, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes intend-ed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout both of the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a skating device constructed in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Now having particular reference to the drawings, my novel skating device constitutes the provision of a substantially rectangular shaped horizontal frame 5 of open formation, as clearly disclosed in Figure 2 for purpose of lightness, said frame being constructed inwardly of its opposite-sides with horizontal bars 6-6. Journaled transversely of this frame, at opposite ends thereof, are axle shafts 7 and 8, respectively, and upon the outer ends of which are mounted front and rear supporting and propulsion wheels 8-8 and 9-9, respectively. As clearly di closed in Figure 2, the rear axle shaft is of greater length than the forward axle shaft in order that the front and rear wheels may function without interference with each .pther.

Keyed to the axle shafts 7 and 8. directly within the side bars of the frame 5 are relatively small spur gears 10-10 and 11-11 respectively. These spur gears are in mesh with relatively large gears 12-12 that are loosely mounted upon a transverse shaft 13. outwardly of the frame bars 6-6, said shaft being obviously journaled at its opposite ends through registering openings in said bars 6-6 as well as the outer side bars of the frame 5.

Keyed to shaft 13 at the inner sides of said large gears 12-12 are ratchet wheels 14-14, adapted for engagement with the 1926. Serial No. 119,368.

teeth of which are pivoted dogs 15, of suitable number, which. dogs are pivoted to the Y inner faces of saidgears 12-12, and serve to connect the gears12-12 to the shaft 13 when the same is forcibly rotated in a clockwise direction, which rotation will obviously effect the rotation of the wheel carrying shafts 7 and 8 in a counter clockwisedirection for propelling the device over the road surface.

Projecting vertically from the center of theend bars of the frame 5 are posts 16-16 that are arranged through similar shaped. openings in extension lugs 17-17 of a horizontal foot resting plate 18 that is provided upon its top side with means for attaching the foot of the skater thereto, which means is preferably,though not necessarily, as disclosed in the drawings.

Said foot resting plate 18 is normally maintained in elevated position with respect to the frame 5 through the medium of strong expansible helical springs 19-19, arranged between lugs at the opposite ends of the frame 5 and said lugs 17-17 of the foot resting plate 18, Figure 1.

Depend'ng from-the under side ofthe foot restingv plate directly in back of the trans- .verse shaft 13 iournaled in the frame 5 is a rack bar 20, the teeth of which are constantly in mesh with the teeth of a pinion gear 21 keyed to the transverse shaft 13 at the center thereof.

It will be obvious that when a pair of these skating devices are attached to the feet I of the skater, the wheels, when initially brought into engagement with the road surface will be forcibly caused to rotate in a forward direction for propelling the skater over the road surface without requiring the usual pushing upward, and this by reason of the fact that as each device is disposed upon the road, the weight of the skater will cause the foot resting plate 18 to be forcibly moved downwardly against the act-ion of the springs 19-19 for causing a clockwise rotation of the shaft 13 and the consequent counter clockwise rotation of the wheels by reason. of the operating mechanism between said shaft and the wheel axles. As soon as each skating device is raised from the road surface, the frame 5 and resting plate 18 will be caused to separate under the action of v the springs 19-19, but by reason of the mechanism between the shaft 13 and the wheel carrying axles, the counter clockwise rotation of the wheels will not be effective.

It is preferable'that a braking mechanism be provided for the skating device. and as disclosed in the KillfllVl'UQS; said braking inecl'ianism consists of a' pair of brake drums 22-92, i'noui'lted upon the rear wheel axle 8 directly inwardly of the wheels 9 9. Partially surrounding. these drums are brake bands 23-443 that are anchored at certain ends as at 2 1: abovethe drums. The opposite ends of these bands are attached to the inner armsofbell cranks 25-25, pivoted to the outer sides of the frame 5 rearwardly of the axle 8. The outer arms of the bell crank are interconnected by a cross bat 26. to which is attached a pull cable 27, of a lengtl i sutficient to enable the skater to grasp the same without inconvenience. Obviously. a pull upon this cable will contract the bands upon the drums for breaking: the rotation of the rear axle to the desired degree. v

It will thus be seen that I have provided a highly novel, simple and eflicient form of skating device well adapted for all of the purposes hereinbetore designated. and even though I have herein shown. and described the same as consisting of certain detail structural elements, it is nevertheless to be understood that some modifications may be had without affecting; the spirit and scope of the appended claim. 7

Havingthus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I v

In a skating device of the class described, a frame, front and rear axles journaled tra isversely theif'e'on, ground engaging propelling wheels supported on the axles, a shaft journaled transversely on the intermediate portions ot the frames, pairs of aligned spur nears keyed on the axles, a pair of driving gearsdoosely mounted on the intermediate shaft and adapted for engagement with the respective pairs of aligned spur gears. posts extending upwardly from the forivard and rear end portions of the frame, a foot resting plate arranged above the frame and adapted for vertical sliding movement, apertured lugs at the forward and rear ends of the plate through which said posts extends, expansilole coil springs interposed between the frame and the foot resting plate for normally maintaining the latter in a raised position but to permit the same to be forced downwardly when the weight of the skater is placed thereon, a pinion keyed on the intermediate shatt, a vertical rack bar secured at its upper end to the bottom of the foot resting plate and adapted for engagement with the pinion for rotating the intermediate shaft, ratchet wheels keyed on the intermediate shaft adjacent the respective driving gears, and coope atingl' p'a'wls pivotally mounted on the driving gears and engaging the respective ratchet wheels for effecting; the actuation of the drivinggears and a simultaneous operation of the ground engaging propelling wheels in one direction.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

JOHN STETSON. 

